Packaging arrangement leaving a portion of a product exposed for examination by potential purchasers

ABSTRACT

A packaging arrangement configured to entrap a product while leaving a portion of the product exposed for examination by potential purchasers comprises a card defining an aperture and a retainer fixed to the card with a ring of the retainer extending through the aperture. The ring of the retainer defines a ring opening and a bore extending in a downward direction along a bore axis from the ring opening. A ring opening edge defines a ring opening plane extending in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. The ring may encircle the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in directions parallel to the ring opening plane. The upper edge of the card may be located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the upward direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/464,790, filed Feb. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

One type of packaging used to display of items for retail sale isgenerally known as blister packaging. Blister packaging typicallyincludes a blister formed of transparent thermoplastic film. Thetransparent blister defines a cavity configured to receive the item. Thetransparent blister may be fixed to a card that extends across an openend of the cavity. The card may be made of foil, film, paper, cardboard,or the like. Together, the transparent blister and the card completelyenclose the product. While blister packaging provides protection to thepackaged item, this type of packaging also prevents tactile examinationof the packaged item. Tactile examination, i.e, the “feel” or “touch” ofgoods is important to many consumers. Many goods are designed andpurchased to provide comfort to the user, so that the feel of theproduct on the user's fingertips is of paramount importance in thepurchasing decision. When such products are packaged and displayed inblister packaging, many consumers are tempted to open the packaging inorder to touch the product before purchasing it. When one consumer opensblister packaging in order to tactilely examine an item, it is typicallyobvious to subsequent consumers that the packaging has been opened. Inthe case of personal care items, it may be particularly difficult orimpossible to sell opened items to subsequent consumers. Economic wasteis created when opened items cannot be sold and must be discarded (e.g.,thrown in the trash). It would be desirable to avoid such economic wasteby providing a product packaging and/or display arrangement that wouldallow consumers to touch the product. These packaging arrangements wouldalso be desirable to consumers because it would allow them to touch theproduct before purchasing it.

SUMMARY

A packaging arrangement configured to entrap a product while leaving aportion of the product exposed for examination by potential purchaserscomprises a card defining an aperture and a retainer fixed to the cardwith a ring of the retainer extending through the aperture. The ring ofthe retainer defines a ring opening and a bore extending in a downwarddirection along a bore axis from the ring opening. A ring opening edgedefines a ring opening plane extending in forward, backward, portward,and starboardly directions. The ring may encircle the product so as tolimit or prevent translational movement of the product in directionsparallel to the ring opening plane. The aperture defined by the card isdefined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edge extendingbetween the port edge and the starboard edge. The upper edge may belocated proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limit orprevent translational movement of the product in the upward direction.The ring may include comprises a shelf portion including an upwardfacing surface that contacts a downward facing surface of the product soas to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in thedownward direction.

A forward portion of the ring extends through a front panel cutout and arearward portion of the ring extends through a rear panel cutout. Thefront panel cutout and the rear panel cutout cooperate to define theaperture of the card. In embodiments, the aperture defined by the cardis defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edge extendingbetween the port edge and the starboard edge.

In embodiments, the packaging arrangement comprises a card including afront panel and a rear panel connected at a fold, the fold extendingalong a fold line. The fold line may comprise a localized area ofweakness such as, by way of example and not limitation, a score cut, aline of perforation cuts, a crease, and the like. In embodiments, theaperture extends in a downward direction through the fold.

In embodiments, a retainer of the packaging arrangement comprises anupper ring, a lower ring, a starboard bridge, and a port bridge bothconnecting the upper and lower rings. The upper ring of the retainer isseparated from the lower ring by a separation distance so that a portionof the product extending between the upper ring and the lower ring isexposed for examination by potential purchasers. The starboard bridgehas a lower end fixed to the lower ring, an upper end fixed to the upperring and an intermediate portion extending between the lower end and theupper end. The retainer is positioned relative to the card so that theintermediate portion of the starboard bridge extends between the frontpanel and the rear panel as the starboard bridge extends between theupper ring and the lower ring. The port bridge has a first end fixed tothe lower ring, a second end fixed to the upper ring and an intermediatepart extending between the first end and the second end. The retainer ispositioned relative to the card so that the intermediate part of theport bridge extends between the front panel and the rear panel as theport bridge extends between the upper ring and the lower ring.

The rings of the retainer extend through the aperture defined by thecard while the bridges of the retainer extend between the front paneland the rear panel. A forward portion of the upper ring extends throughthe front panel cutout and a rearward portion of the upper ring extendsthrough the rear panel cutout. The upper ring defines an upper ringopening and a lumen extending in a downward direction along a lumen axisfrom the upper ring opening. An upper ring opening edge defines an upperring opening plane. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring openingplane extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardlydirections. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring encircles theproduct so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the productin directions parallel to the upper ring opening plane.

The lower ring of the retainer defines a lower ring opening and a boreextending in a downward direction along a bore axis from the lower ringopening. A lower ring opening edge defines a lower ring opening plane.In one or more embodiments, the lower ring opening plane extends inforward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or moreembodiments, the lower ring encircles the product so as to limit orprevent translational movement of the product in directions parallel tothe lower ring opening plane.

In embodiments, the front panel comprises an inner surface and an outersurface. The rear panel comprises an inner face and an outer face in oneor more embodiments. The front panel and a rear panel meet at a fold. Astarboard bridge and a port bridge of the retainer may be trappedbetween the front panel and the rear panel when the card is in a foldedconfiguration. The inner surface of the front panel may be fixed to theinner face of the rear panel by a suitable adhesive in one or moreembodiments.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement thatdisplays an item, such as a lip balm applicator, in an attractive way,and at the same time permits tactile examination of the item by theconsumer prior to sale.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement thatminimizes the shelf space occupied by items, for example by hanging theitems from rods, hooks, and the like.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement thatreduces the need or desire of the consumer to remove the packagingand/or display arrangement in order to examine the retail item—in otherwords, the consumer will preferably be able to make a decision whetherto purchase the item without disturbing the packaging and/or displayarrangement.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that canbe easily removed from the packaged item by the consumer after he or shehas purchased the item.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement thatentraps the product and eliminates any need or desire to apply adhesiveto the product.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that canbe easily removed from the packaged item without causing damage to thepackaged item. In particular, the packaging arrangement does not requireadhesive material to be peeled off of the product.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a product and a packagingarrangement configured to entrap the product while, at the same time,leaving a portion of the product exposed for examination by potentialpurchasers;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view further illustrating the productand the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 1. The packaging arrangementincludes a retainer and a card.

FIG. 2B is an additional perspective view further illustrating theproduct and the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 2A. In theembodiment of FIG. 2B, upper and lower rings of the retainer are showndisposed about the product and the retainer is shown contacting a backpanel of the card.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the packaging arrangement shown inFIG. 1. The packaging arrangement includes a retainer and a card. Thecard comprises a front panel and a back panel that meet at a fold. Astarboard bridge and a port bridge of the retainer may be trappedbetween the front panel and the rear panel when the card is in a foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 3B is an additional perspective view further illustrating thepackaging arrangement shown in FIG. 3A with the front panel and rearpanel area joined with the starboard bridge and the port bridge of theretainer captured between.

FIGS. 4A through 4F form a sequence of simplified perspective viewsillustrating an example assembly process for a packaging arrangement anda product.

FIGS. 5A through 5F form a sequence of simplified side views furtherillustrating the example assembly process shown in FIGS. 4A through 4F.The side views of FIGS. 5A through 5F correspond to the perspectiveviews of FIGS. 4A through 4F, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a retainer in accordance with thedetailed description.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a retainer in accordance with an embodimentdescribed in the detailed description.

FIG. 7B is a right side view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a top view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a rear view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a left side view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7F is a bottom view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A. FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may be collectively referred to as FIG. 7.

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view further illustrating the productand the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Thepackaging arrangement includes a retainer and a card.

FIG. 8B is an additional perspective view further illustrating theproduct and the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 8A. In theembodiment of FIG. 8B, upper and lower rings of the retainer are showndisposed about the product and the retainer is shown contacting a backpanel of the card.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a retainer in accordance with thedetailed description.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a retainer in accordance with thedetailed description.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view showing an example productcomprising a lip balm applicator.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view further illustrating the lip balmapplicator shown in FIG. 11A.

While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shownby way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit thedisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a packaging arrangement 100 is configured tocapture a product 102 while, at the same time, leaving an exposedportion 104 of the product 102 exposed for examination and touching bypotential purchasers. The product may be, for example, a container oflip balm, lip stick, deodorant, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-3B the packaging arrangement 100 comprises a card106 including a front panel 120 and a rear panel 122 connected at a fold124. In embodiments, the fold 124 extends along a fold line 126. Inembodiments, the front panel 120 defines a front panel cutout 128 andthe rear panel 122 defines a rear panel cutout 130. In embodiments, thefront panel cutout 128 and the rear panel cutout 130 cooperate to definean aperture 132 of the card 106, the aperture 132 extending in adownward direction through the fold 124.

Referring to FIG. 6 a retainer 108 of the packaging arrangement 100comprises an upper ring 134, a lower ring 136, a starboard bridge 138,and a port bridge 140. The upper ring 134 is separated from the lowerring 136 by a separation distance so that a portion of the product 102extending between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136 is exposedfor examination by potential purchasers. The starboard bridge 138 has alower end 142 fixed to the lower ring 136, an upper end 144 fixed to theupper ring 134 and an intermediate portion 146 extending between thelower end 142 and the upper end 144.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-6, the retainer 108 is positioned relative to thecard 106 so that the intermediate portion 146 of the starboard bridge138 extends between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 as thestarboard bridge 138 extends between the upper ring 134 and the lowerring 136. The port bridge 140 has a first end 148 fixed to the lowerring 136, a second end 150 fixed to the upper ring 134 and anintermediate part 152 extending between the first end 148 and the secondend 150. The retainer 108 is positioned relative to the card 106 so thatthe intermediate part 152 of the port bridge 140 extends between thefront panel 120 and the rear panel 122 as the port bridge 140 extendsbetween the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136.

The rings of the retainer 108 extend through the aperture 132 defined bythe card 106 while the bridges of the retainer 108 extend between thefront panel 120 and the rear panel 122. A forward portion of the upperring 134 extends through the front panel cutout 128 and a rearwardportion of the upper ring 134 extends through the rear panel cutout 130.The upper ring 134 defines an upper ring opening 162 and a lumen 164extending in a downward direction along a lumen axis 166 from the upperring opening 162. The portion of the upper ring 134 that defines theupper ring opening 162 also defines an upper ring opening plane 168. Inone or more embodiments, the upper ring opening plane 168 extends inforward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or moreembodiments, the upper ring 134 encircles the product 102 so as to limitor prevent translational movement of the product 102 in directionsparallel to the upper ring opening plane.

The lower ring 136 of the retainer 108 defines a lower ring opening 170and a bore 172 extending in a downward direction along a bore axis 174from the lower ring opening 170. The portion of the lower ring thatdefines the lower ring opening 170 also defines a lower ring openingplane. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring opening plane 176extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. Inone or more embodiments, the lower ring encircles the product 102 so asto limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 indirections parallel to the lower ring opening plane 176. A forwardportion of the lower ring 136 extends through the front panel cutout 128and a rearward portion of the lower ring 136 extends through the rearpanel cutout 130.

In one or more embodiments, the front panel 120 comprises an innersurface 186 and an outer surface 188. The rear panel 122 comprises aninner face 196 and an outer face 198 in one or more embodiments. Thefront panel 120 and a rear panel 122 meet at a fold 124. A starboardbridge 138 and a port bridge 140 of the retainer may be trapped betweenthe front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 when the card 106 is in afolded configuration. The inner surface 186 of the front panel 120 maybe fixed to the inner face 196 of the rear panel 122 by a suitableadhesive in one or more embodiments.

In one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 of the retainer 108has a lower end 142 fixed to the lower ring 136, an upper end 144 fixedto the upper ring 134 and an intermediate portion 146 extending betweenthe lower end 142 and the upper end 144. In one or more embodiments, theretainer is positioned so that the upper ring and the lower ring bothextend through the aperture 132, and the intermediate portion 146 of thestarboard bridge 138 extends between the front panel 120 and the rearpanel 122 as the starboard bridge 138 extends between the upper ring 134and the lower ring 136.

In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 of the retainer 108 hasa first end 148 fixed to the lower ring 136, a second end 150 fixed tothe upper ring 134 and an intermediate part 152 extending between thefirst end 148 and the second end 150. In one or more embodiments, theretainer 108 is positioned so that the intermediate part 152 of the portbridge 140 extends between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 asthe port bridge 140 extends between the upper ring 134 and the lowerring 136.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7F, in one or more embodiments, the upper ring 134defines an upper ring opening 162 and a lumen 164 extending in adownward direction along a lumen axis 166 from the upper ring opening162. An upper opening edge defines an upper ring opening plane 168. Inone or more embodiments, the upper ring opening plane 168 extends inforward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or moreembodiments, the upper ring encircles the product 102 so as to limit orprevent translational movement of the product 102 in directions parallelto the upper ring opening plane.

In one or more embodiments, the lower ring 136 defines a lower ringopening 170 and a bore 172 extending in a downward direction along abore axis 174 from the lower ring opening 170. A lower ring opening edgedefines a lower ring opening plane 176. In one or more embodiments, thelower ring opening plane 176 extends in forward, backward, portward, andstarboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring 136encircles the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translationalmovement of the product 102 in directions parallel to the lower ringopening plane.

In one or more embodiments, the aperture 132 defined by the card 106 isdefined by a port edge 192, a starboard edge 190, and an upper edge 154extending between the port edge 192 and the starboard edge 190. In oneor more embodiments, the upper edge 154 is located proximate an uppersurface 156 of the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translationalmovement of the product 102 in the upward direction. In one or moreembodiments, the ring comprises a shelf portion 158 including an upwardfacing surface 160. In one or more embodiments, the upward facingsurface 160 of the shelf portion 158 contacts a downward facing surfaceof the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement ofthe product 102 in the downward direction.

Referring to 8A-10, in one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138comprises an upper portion 202, a lower portion 204 and an intermediateportion 146 extending between the upper portion 202 and the lowerportion 204. In one or more embodiments, the upper portion 202 extendsin the starboard direction away from the upper ring 134 and the lowerportion 204 extending in the starboard direction away from the lowerring 136. In one or more embodiments, the intermediate portion 146extends from the upper portion 202 to the lower portion 204. In one ormore embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 comprises an upper elbowportion 206 disposed between the upper portion 202 and the intermediateportion 146 and a lower elbow portion 208 disposed between the lowerportion 204 and the intermediate portion 146.

In one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 of the retainer 108comprises a first protrusion 178, the first protrusion 178 extendsrearwardly beyond a rearward facing surface of the starboard bridge 138and the rear panel 122 of the card 106 defines a first hole 182. In oneor more embodiments, the first protrusion 178 extends into the firsthole 182 when the packaging arrangement 100 is in an assembled state. Inone or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 of the retainer 108comprises a second protrusion 180, the second protrusion 180 extendingrearwardly beyond a rearward facing surface of the port bridge 140. Inone or more embodiments, the second protrusion 180 extends into thesecond hole 184 when the packaging arrangement 100 is in an assembledstate.

In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 comprises an upper part222, a lower part 224 and an intermediate part 152 extending between theupper part 222 and the lower part 224. In one or more embodiments, theupper part extends in the port direction away from the upper ring 134and the lower part 224 extends in the port direction away from the lowerring 136. In one or more embodiments, the intermediate part 152 extendsin the downward direction from the upper part 222 to the lower part 224and extends in the upward direction from the lower part 224 to the upperpart 222. In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 comprises anupper elbow part 226 disposed between the upper part 222 and theintermediate part 152 and a lower elbow part 228 disposed between thelower part 224 and the intermediate part 152.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-5F, a method of packaging and/or displaying aproduct 102 comprises providing a retainer 108 including an upper ring134, a lower ring 136, a starboard bridge 138, and a port bridge 140.The upper ring 134 being separated from the lower ring 136 by aseparation distance so that an exposed portion 104 of the product 102located between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136 is exposed forexamination by potential purchasers. The method may include inserting alower end of the product 102 through a lumen 164 defined by the upperring 134 and into a bore 172 defined by the lower ring 136. The methodmay include providing a card 106 comprising a front panel 120 and a rearpanel 122 connected at a fold line 126. The method may include foldingthe card 106 at the fold line 126 and positioning the bridges of theretainer 108 between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 so thatthe bridges are trapped between the front panel 120 and the rear panel122.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view showing an example product 102comprising a lip balm applicator 230. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional viewfurther illustrating the lip balm applicator 230 shown in FIG. 11A. Thelip balm applicator 230 comprises a product body 232 and a cap 234. Theproduct body 232 comprises a base portion 236 and an overmold portion238. In one or more embodiments, the base portion 236 of the productbody and the overmold portion 238 of the product body 232 are formedusing a two shot injection molding process. In one or more embodiments,the base portion 236 comprises a first thermoplastic material and theovermold portion 238 comprising a second thermoplastic materialdifferent from the first thermoplastic material. In one or moreembodiments, the first thermoplastic material is more rigid than thesecond thermoplastic material. In one or more embodiments, the baseportion 236 has a base surface, the overmold portion 238 has an overmoldsurface, and the base surface is smoother than the overmold surface. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the lip balm applicator 230comprises lip balm 240 and an internal member 242.

The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by referenceherein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,268, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,731, U.S. Pat. No.5,899,333, U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,415, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,471, U.S. Pat.No. 6,364,115, U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,267, U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,405, U.S.Pat. No. 7,726,480, U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,146, U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,786,U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,891, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,346,597. The abovereferences to U.S. patents in all sections of this application areherein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodimentsherein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEPsection 2163.07(B).

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, an upward direction U and a downward directionD are illustrated using arrows labeled “U” and “D.” A forward directionF and a rearward direction R are illustrated using arrows labeled “F”and “R,” respectively. A starboard direction S and a port direction Pare illustrated using arrows labeled “S” and “P,” respectively. Thedirections illustrated using these arrows may be conceptualized, by wayof example and not limitation, from the point of view of a potentialpurchaser who is viewing a product packaging/display arrangement. Thedirections illustrated using these arrows are applicable to theapparatus shown and discussed throughout this application. The portdirection may also be referred to as the portward direction.

It will be appreciated that direction indicating terms may be related tothe instant orientation of the object being described. It will also beappreciated that the objects described herein may assume variousorientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of thisdetailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as“upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,” “portwardly,” and“starboardly,” should not be interpreted to limit the scope of theinvention recited in the attached claims. Various direction-indicatingterms may be used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objectsshown in the figures.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-10, a Y-axis generally extends inthe upward direction U and the downward or lower direction D and anX-axis generally extends in the starboard direction S and the portdirection P. A Z-axis generally extends in the forward direction F andthe rearward direction R. In one or more embodiments, the X, Y and Zaxes are mutually orthogonal axes. The X-axis is generally orthogonal toan YZ plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis. The Y-axis isgenerally orthogonal to an XZ plane defined by the X-axis and theZ-axis. The Z-axis is generally orthogonal to an XY plane defined by theX-axis and the Y-axis.

In one or more embodiments, the upward direction is generally oppositethe downward direction. In one or more embodiments, the upward directionand the downward direction are both generally orthogonal to an XZ planedefined by the forward direction and the starboard direction. In one ormore embodiments, the forward direction is generally opposite therearward direction. In one or more embodiments, the forward directionand the rearward direction are both generally orthogonal to a XY planedefined by the upward direction and the starboard direction. In one ormore embodiments, the starboard direction is generally opposite the portdirection. In one or more embodiments, starboard direction and the portdirection are both generally orthogonal to a YZ plane defined by theupward direction and the forward direction. Various direction-indicatingterms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shownin the figures.

The above references in all sections of this application are hereinincorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. All ofthe features disclosed in this specification (including the referencesincorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstractand drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations whereat least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including referencesincorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract anddrawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one exampleonly of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above referencesin all sections of this application are herein incorporated byreferences in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

1. In combination: a product for dispensing lip balm, the productcomprising a product body, the product body comprising a base portionand an overmolded portion, the base portion comprising a firstthermoplastic material and the overmolded portion comprising a secondthermoplastic material different from the first thermoplastic material,the first thermoplastic material being more rigid than the secondthermoplastic material, the base portion having a base surface and theovermolded portion having a overmolded surface, the base surface beingsmoother than the overmolded surface; and an insert and a card thatcooperate to entrap the product and having a portion of the productexposed for touch examination by potential purchasers, the card definingan aperture and the retainer being fixed to the card with a ring of theretainer extending through the aperture; wherein the ring of theretainer defining an upper ring opening and a lumen extending downwardfrom the upper ring opening along a lumen axis, the ring encircling theproduct so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the producttransverse to the lumen axis; the aperture of the card being at leastpartially defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edgeextending between the port edge and the starboard edge, the upper edgebeing located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limitor prevent translational movement of the product in the upwarddirection.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ring comprises ashelf portion, the shelf portion comprising an upward facing surface,the upward facing surface of the shelf portion contacting a downwardfacing surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translationalmovement of the product in the downward direction.
 3. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein: a horizontal axis extends in the portward andstarboardly directions, the portward direction being opposite thestarboardly direction; a longitudinal axis extends in the forward andrearward directions, the forward direction being opposite the rearwarddirection; the lumen axis is orthogonal to a plane defined by thehorizontal axis and the longitudinal axis; the longitudinal axis isorthogonal to a plane defined by the horizontal axis and the lumen axis;and the horizontal axis is orthogonal to a plane defined by the lumenaxis and the longitudinal axis.
 4. A lipstick, lip gloss, or lip balmdispenser in combination with a card and a retainer, the combinationhaving a portion of the product exposed for touch examination bypotential purchasers; the card comprising a front panel and a rear panelconnected at a fold, the fold extending along a fold line, the frontpanel defining a front panel cutout, the rear panel defining a rearpanel cutout, the front panel cutout and the rear panel cutoutcooperating to define an aperture of the card; the retainer comprisingan upper ring, a lower ring and a bridge extending therebetween, theupper ring being separated from the lower ring by a separation distanceso that a portion of the product extending between the upper ring andthe lower ring is exposed for examination by potential purchasers; thebridge of the retainer having a first end fixed to the lower ring, asecond end fixed to the upper ring and an intermediate part extendingbetween the first end and the second end, the retainer being positionedso that the intermediate part of the bridge extends between the frontpanel and the rear panel and between the upper ring and the lower ring;the upper ring defining an upper ring opening, the upper ring encirclingthe product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of theproduct; the lower ring defining a lower ring opening, the lower ringencircling the product so as to limit or prevent translational movementof the product.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein a forward portionof each ring extends through the front panel cutout and a rearwardportion of each ring extends through the back panel cutout.
 6. Thecombination of claim 4 wherein: the front panel comprises an innersurface and an outer surface: the rear panel comprises an inner face andan outer face; and the inner surface of the front panel is fixed to theinner face of the rear panel by an adhesive with the bridges of theretainer trapped between the front panel and the rear panel. 7-10.(canceled)
 11. The combination of claim 4 wherein the aperture of thecard is defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edgeextending between the port edge and the starboard edge, the upper edgebeing located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limitor prevent translational movement of the product in the upwarddirection.
 12. The combination of claim 4 wherein the lower ringcomprises a shelf portion, the shelf portion comprising an upward facingsurface, the upward facing surface of the shelf portion contacting adownward facing surface of the product so as to limit or preventtranslational movement of the product in the downward direction. 13-20.(canceled)
 21. A packaged lip product dispenser, the packaged lipproduct dispenser comprising a dispenser and packaging for securing thedispenser and providing touch access to the exterior of the dispenser,the dispenser comprising a housing that is of an elongate shape, havingan exterior surface, and that contains a lip product, the housing beingopenable for allowing dispensing of the lip product, the packagingcomprising a card and a transparent retainer secured in the card, thecard comprising a pair panels in a parallel confronting engagement, thepair of panels defining an aperture, the retainer secured in theaperture, the retainer having exposed portions that are form fit to thelip product and unitary securement portions that are generally flat andare sandwiched between the pair of panels, the retainer securing thehousing positioned in the aperture, the retainer having open areasallowing access to the exterior surface of the housing,
 22. The packagedlip product dispenser of claim 21 wherein the dispenser is capturedwithin a containment defined by the retainer and at least one edge ofthe cardboard panels.
 23. The packaged lip product dispenser of claim 21wherein the dispenser is captured within a containment definedexclusively by the retainer and edges of the cardboard panels.
 24. Thepackaged product of claim 21 wherein the pair of panels connect at ahinge portion.
 25. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the retaineris formed of a polymer and is injection molded.
 26. The packaged productof claim 21 wherein the retainer is vacuum formed from softened polymersheets.
 27. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein each of the panelsis formed of cardboard.
 28. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein thehousing has an exterior layer that is softer than an inner portion ofthe housing.
 29. The packaged product of claim 28 wherein the retainercomprises a pair of ring portions, a lower ring portion for engaging abottom portion of the dispenser and an upper ring portion for engaging anon-bottom portion of the dispenser.
 30. The packaged product of claim21 wherein the card has two pairs of opposing edges and the aperture isspaced from the two pairs of opposing edges.
 31. The packaged product ofclaim 21 wherein the card has two pairs of opposing edges and theaperture extends from one of the edges.
 32. The packaged product ofclaim 21 wherein the lip product is one of lipstick, lip balm, or lipgloss.